St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-12-03
AN INTERESTING PAPER.
Tells About the Educational Adj
vancement of DakOta---A Record
of Which Every Citizen of the
Territory Should Feel Proud.

IeItS ABOUT Tic EuuCdGfOndi h0-
vancement of DakOta---A Record
of Which Every Citizen of the
Territory Should Feel Proud.
To the Editor of the Globe.
The educational advancement of Da-
kota is pleasant subject for its citi-
Zens. 1t comes home to all of them in
more than one way. The tax gatherer
reminds them of it in decided way, for
the entire support of the system comes
by taxation. But wherever one goes in
educational work the people demon
strate their friendship for the schools
i'll the most earnest manner. There
are issues not settled, and their
discussion lends life to the interest.
A late tour of many counties brought
the writer in contact with old friends
and new in this field, and the DISPOSE
ton to note points of Importance is
quite natural. There are new counties
and old in country as new as Dakota,
and one would expect greater diverSltleS
in educational methods than are actu-
ally found. One need not even go to
the oldest counties to find the best
schools. This is especially true of the
ungraded country schools. In the larger
towns excellence is somewhat more
clearly according to age. There are
fifteen of the oldest counties that retain
the district system, and all the rest have
the the township system. The latter
will doubtless become general, as 1t
gives, on the whole, better results.
Older and more densely populated cOun-
ties can, of course, sustain schools with
more economy if equally well managed,
as taxable property is in greater amount
aftnn60nnn schools
tain higher average, thus showing
sometimes smaller cost of teachers
wages per pupil. But the township
plan shows better results in new c0un-
ties than the district did when its cOun-
ties were new, and this is the true test.
The last legislature passed new law
which created sub-dlStrictS in the tOwn-
ships, and this
DEPARTURE Is NOW UNDER TRIAL
with the probabilities decidedly in favor
of return to substantially the former
place. In this each civil township, or,
where these are not OrganiZed,an equiv
alent one, is also a school township,
wherein the schools are under one
board, each family joining the most con-
venient school. avoiding all the trouble
usual to d strict boundaries and main
tanning all the schools of the same eX-
terms. Under the district system this
has never been realized.
We will not dwell upon this discussion,
but leave it to the future legislatures.
We have visited counties under both
systems. and one who does so is forced
to remark upon the vigOr, enthusiasm,
high grade of teachers and equality of
advantage to the people under the town
ship plan as compared with the district
plan. though the individual counties can
be compared and show an old district
county equal TO good township county.
The county teachers institutes show
best in township counties i'll attendance
and vigorous work, and all OF
them were a pleasant scene and give a
promise for the future that justifies the
pride of all citizens. The present law
gives the general administration of
school matters into the hands of a SUI
perintendent of pOblic instruction and
two assistants. who form the board of
education for the territory. 1t was my
pleasure to meet for a day or two at sew
eral different institutes Hon. E. \. Dye,
the territorial superintendent. and to
observe the energy and devotion that
characterize his laborS, Long in educa-
tiOnal work. This experience reaches
from the log or sod house up to his pres
ent position. For many years county
SUPERINTENDENT of Sphinx county, he
helped its people make it one of
the leading counties in Dakota gin
the excellence of its schools of all grades,
and he comes to his present work fully
equipped. The result of his plans and
labOrS will soon show in advanced et1i-
cheney and better preparation OF teach
erS. He believes i'll progress upward,
and while he makes the road difficult
for some he opens the way to the strong
and worthy. His doctrine i'll education
is thOroughness i'll every step; through
study discipline, through discipline,
clear thought and development.
WHILE HE CANNOT DO MUCH PERSON
ALLY
in every locality of so vast a territory.
his work in each institute is a strong
help and aims to bring all to the right
basis, that to learn to think clearly and
to give distinct expression to thou ght
are the means to education. His as
SiStant superintendent, Prof. McFar-
land, is young man OF ability, culture
and promise. who shows every year an
increasing breadth and manly strength
that lead to great usefulness. The other
assistant we did not meet.
Dakota has a large number of col
leges that are all graphing with the
problems before them with fresh schol-
arship and added experience. The pri-
yate and Christian colleges are aiming
to hold a large field. We cannot speak
with equal knowledge of all these or of
the territorial institutions. YanktOn col
lege has. from the first day of its exist
ence, held very high rank for scholar
ship of both faculty and students. 1t
has added greatly to the strength OF its
faculty and sees its way clear to an hon
orable future. The university at Mitch
ell, under the NJ. E. church,
will not fail to hold a very high
place in merit and popular apprecia-
ton. The strength of that church and
this sure. Pierre university, the col
Iege of the Presbyterian church, will
not fail to be heard from in splendid
work under its scholarly and vigorous
president, Rev. William Blackburn,
ID. d. The new college at Redfield
starts well and has very able men in
charge. Rev. Beaton, its president. is
gentlemen of high scholarship and
marked discipline of mind, the product
of native genius and the Edinburgh.
Scotland university, and as a popular
speaker he is uneXcelled.
The University of Dakota at Yer
million is under new management. 1t
has ended the period of experiment and
has called to all its chairs, from presi-
dent down, new blood but much old ey-
perience, and discipline, scholarship and
success are sure.
We notice as much change toward
right methods in the Normal school at
Madison as in any other of our Dakota
institutions. 1t has been normal
school
WITH NORMAL. STUDIES OMITTED.
Looking over its last years catalogue
we find every proper normal study
marked optional. Hamlet is left out.
Not so now. Its able president and
faculty are making it a normal school
in fact, and not mere academy or high
school. President Gorrie understands
the place the school must fill to Justify